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STS-31: Launch of the Hubble Space Telescope This retrospective remembers the birth of Hubble. Space shuttle Discovery successfully delivered NASA's Hubble Space Telescope into Earth orbit in April 1990. The observatory opened a new window on the universe, revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos. The following video clips are available to Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. This premium service gives you access to our vast video collection and financially supports the continued operation of this web site. Find out how to get your subscription by clicking here.
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INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE ADVERTISE © 2008 Pole Star Publications Ltd |
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The Hubble Space Telescope is loaded into shuttle Discovery's payload bay at launch pad 39B. The bay doors are then closed for flight, which is seen in unique footage shot through the shuttle's cockpit windows. (1min 30sec file)
The five astronauts to fly aboard Discovery are seated in the dining room in crew quarters for an early morning breakfast in the hours before liftoff. (1min 09sec file)
After breakfast the shuttle astronauts put on their day-glow orange launch and entry partial pressure spacesuits. (2min 41sec file)
The astronauts walk out of the Operations & Checkout Building, which serves as crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center, and board the AstroVan for the ride to the launch pad. (54sec file)
A status report on Hubble is given from the telescope's control center as the countdown progresses to the final minutes to launch. (1min 25sec file)
Shuttle launch director Bob Sieck polls senior managers for a "go" to launch Discovery and then passes a message to commander Loren Shriver. (1min 14sec file)
The countdown is stopped at T-minus 31 seconds due to a problem with the outboard liquid oxygen fill and drain valve. Listen in as the launch team successfully works through the glitch. (2min 55sec file)
Space shuttle Discovery lifts off with the Hubble Space Telescope at 8:33:51 a.m. EDT on April 24, 1990 from pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This movie clip captures the actual live launch coverage from NASA Select TV. (3min 02sec file)
We begin replays of Discovery's spectacular launch with a view from atop the roof of Kennedy Space Center's 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building. (56sec file)
This view of launch was recorded by a camera positioned to the west of the pad, showing the liftoff and roll maneuver as Discovery heads over the Atlantic for a 28.5 degree inclination orbit. (59sec file)
A close-up view of the three liquid-fueled main engines igniting in the final six seconds of the countdown. The solid rocket boosters are then lit at T-0. (16sec file)
A camera mounted atop the launch pad 39B water tower captured this dramatic view of Discovery's Earth-shaking liftoff. (20sec file)
A tracking camera located near the beach at pad 39B follows Discovery as the shuttle climbs into the morning sky, darting in and out of some thin clouds. (42sec file)
Discovery's launch as seen from a camera positioned directly in front of the pad, providing a scene of the shuttle emerging from behind the steam cloud created during main engine ignition. (47sec file)
A final replay of Discovery's liftoff comes from the pad perimeter camera stationed to the east of the shuttle. (24sec file)
Animation shows the Hubble Space Telescope being lifted out of shuttle Discovery's payload bay and then deployed into orbit. (55sec file)
The shuttle's Canadian-built robotic arm hoists Hubble out of Discovery's payload bay on April 25, 1990 to begin readying the telescope for its launch into space. (2min 05sec file)
The first of Hubble's two power-generating solar wings is unfurled while the telescope rides on the end of the shuttle's robot arm. (1min 42sec file)
The starboard Hubble solar array begins to deploy only to be stopped when a tension senor indicates a problem. Ground controllers were able to resolve the problem later in the day and get the wing out. (1min 03sec file)
The Hubble Space Telescope, the first of NASA's Great Observatories, is deployed from space shuttle Discovery into an orbit 330 miles above Earth. (27sec file)
After its successful mission to place the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit, Discovery returns to Earth a landing on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base in California as seen live on NASA Select TV. (2min 46sec file)
A replay of space shuttle Discovery's 6:50 a.m. local time landing provides this alternate view of touchdown. (32sec file)
A camera captures this direct side view of the shuttle's landing on the concrete runway. (28sec file)
Discovery heads toward you in this angle from a tracking camera located on the far end of Runway 22. (47sec file)
The five astronauts make their way down the stairs after egressing from shuttle Discovery. (30sec file)